2021-22 cheering preview capsules

GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER PATRIOTS
Coach: Melissa Burila (eighth year)
Conference: WMC; Class: B
Returning athletes: Senior — Abby Bouchard; Juniors — Haley Lang, Ashley Lang; Sophomores — Brooke Norton, Kylie Jo Lewis, Kiara Martinez.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Abigail Peaslee, Erika Parlin (home schooled); Freshmen —Brooklyn Gould, Marissa Rowe, Mya Heald.
Key losses: Mackenzie Baston, Jasmine Gamache.
Season outlook: With another year of COVID to contend with, the Patriots are working hard to keep what is important as their focus. It’s a team that works well together and is looking to have a healthy, successful season. The team thanks the athletic department for its continued support and the custodial staff for keeping everything running perfectly.

LEAVITT HORNETS
Coach: Andrea Keneborus (third year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: B
Last year’s results: Fourth at KVACs and fourth out of 21 teams at Class B state championship.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Kira Welch, Alia Bell, Emma Caouette, Fya Link, Skyla Lapointe; Sophomores — Madelyne Keneborus, Ellah Houghton.
Key losses: Marley Coburn, Libby McIntyre, Karrigan Cassella, Bella Keneborus, Abby Connely.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Kylinn Marquis; Sophomore — Ryleigh Green; Freshmen — Lilly Pelletier, Jayna Jarvis, Jayna Jarvis, Madison Worscester, Abby Veinott.
Season outlook: This is a young-but-talented group of athletes who are strong and motivated, according to coach Andrea Keneborus. With the majority of the team having tumbling skills, expect to see a strong and clean routine with the typical “Hornet flare.”

LISBON GREYHOUNDS
Coach: Nicole Adams (ninth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: Second at MVCs.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Grace Braley, Annika Golino, Reese McAtee, Jennifer St. Pierre, Trinity Trufant; Junior — Laryssa Cleaves; Sophomores — Penelope Lucas; Freshmen — Nevaeh Fortin, Riley Hoyle, Mackenzie Theriault.
Key losses: Maddy Ryder, Riece St. Amant.
Season outlook: The Greyhounds are excited to perform for parents again.

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coaches: Matt Hanley (third year) and Torey Reny (third year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: Fourth at Class A state championship.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jocelyn Coons, Emily Lowe; Juniors — Audrey Bilodeau, Hannah Dube, Emilie Levasseur; Sophomores — Madeleine Albert, Kelsea Anderson, Ava Blanchette, Jersey Cunningham, Siara Laliberte, Reese Maynard, Gabby Thomas, Allison Lavallee.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Isabel Tiller Munoz, Cara Schwarze; Freshmen —Aubrey Wood, Phoenix Beaulieu, Fiona Hutchison, Khloe Kirk.
Season outlook: The team is looking forward to performing a fast and high-energy routine. The Devils have been spending time working on technique and endurance. The team is motivated and looking forward to showcasing their talent this year.

MONMOUTH MUSTANGS
Coaches: Brandon Ouellette (third year), Laurie Gifford (involved in the program since 1992)
Conference: MVC; Class: D
Last year’s results: MVC champions, Class C Midcoast Athletic Center Champions, Class C state champions.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jake Umberhind, Kyleigh Gowell, Lily Turcotte, Mara Poulin, Emma Gray; Juniors — Brooklyn Federico, Olivia Degen.
Key losses: Alicen Burnham, Delanie Houston.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Aubrey Castonguay (Winthrop High School); Freshman — Olivia Dunson.
Season outlook: This year, the Mustangs have seven returning, talented athletes who are hungry for another championship, according to Ouellette. They will be just as talented as last year if not better, he said. The Mustangs are looking for a healthy and competitive season.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Josette Duguay (21st year); assistant coach Ciara Giroux (third year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C South
Last year’s results: Third at MVCs.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kenedi Arsenault, Cathryn Bouchard, Taylor Duguay, Hailey Emerick, Abigail LeBlanc, Matthias Mason, Lauren Pepin; Junior — Delaney Bouchard; Sophomores — Kirstynn Blouin, Celeste Dickey, Kara Jasud, Abigail Jones, Olivia Pitcher.
Key losses: Gracie Farnum, Nicole Pelletier, Haley Richard.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Aneta Bucilova; Freshmen — Paisley Clukey, Tessah LeClerc, Maiya Melcher.
Season outlook: Although this season isn’t considered “normal,” the Falcons are excited to be together, working on their routine and competing in person this year, according to Duguay. Their goal is to have fun, work hard and stay healthy.

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Danielle Tannenbaum (third year)
Conference: KVAC Class: A
Last year’s results: Fifth at KVACs; 11th at Class A state championship.
Returning athletes: Juniors — Katie Conant, Janessa Whitney, Lexus Whitney.
Key losses: Haley Walsh, Tricia Souther-Bowering, Allyson Walsh.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Hali Swiney; Juniors — Cowen Young, Abbigail Swett; Freshmen — Anglee Brewer, Emma Turcotte.
Season outlook: This team, while smaller in numbers, will make up for it with dedication, work ethic and great attitudes, according to Tannenbaum. The team has been working hard to perfect new and harder skills. They are excited to be performing in person again after experiencing a year of virtual competitions.

OAK HILL RAIDERS
Coach: Louise Gauthier (13th year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Returning athletes: Senior — Elsbeth Bates; Junior — Lilly Coburn.
Key loss: Kiara Levesque.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Eva Sallee, Jovanah McLaughlin; Freshman — Kina McInnis.
Season outlook: The Raiders feature a small, but talented squad, according to Gauthier.

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coaches: Deborah Loveless (36th year), Jess Brooks (fifth year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: Second at KVACs and fifth at Class A state championship.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jasmin Hayer; Juniors — Kylie Danforth, Abby Fickett, Makenzie Grenier, Lizzy Hallee, Maddie Striegel; Sophomore — Adriana Mills.
Key losses: Tricia White, McKenzie Billings.
Promising newcomer: Freshman — Brealynn Record.
Season outlook: The Vikings are looking to make it through the season healthy.

POLAND KNIGHTS
Coach: Tammy Swett (fourth year)
Conference: WMC; Class: B
Returning athletes: Seniors —Lilly Coltart, Izzy Martin, Leanne Starr, Emmalee Stevens; Junior — Ragyn Harvey; Sophomores — Cassidy Lessard, Emma Martin, Ally Scott, Skylar Tufts.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Preston Mitchell (manager); Sophomores — Courtney Ames, Symara Bell-Bouthot; Freshmen — Bella Coltart, Rebecca Griffith, Emma MacMahon, Anna Shanning (mascot), Libby Strout.
Season outlook: The Knights are honing their skills and experiencing growth with their overall athleticism, strength and conditioning with each practice, according to Swett. They are excited for this in-person season and are looking forward to seeing all of the cheer teams compete this year.

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Nicole Mason (fourth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Returning athletes: Senior — Haley Nichols; Juniors — Madyson Nichols, Lilian Minoty; Sophomores — Hailey Jackson, Kathryn Dorey.
Key losses: Taylor Nault, Kirstyn Weatherall.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Achelois Colburn Earle, Mia Henry, Payton Reichenbach, April Stevens; Freshman —Devynn Gagnon, Leylah Manning, Lily Fortier, Amaya McHugh, Ali Moody.
Season outlook: The team is young, consisting mostly of freshmen and sophomores, but it is stocked with talent, according to Mason. With strong leadership from the upperclassmen, the Phoenix team is coming into the season with a new look and is hoping to be stronger than ever.